'Trust is gone': Province to toll U.S. trucks travelling to Alaska via B.C. as latest tariff response
B.C. Premier David Eby announced additional measures against U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, including new legislation that would implement fees on commercial trucks travelling through the province to Alaska.
The premier stated the province must “answer with strength” to the White House starting a trade war “we didn’t want.”
Eby said his government intends to introduce the new tariff-response legislation that would allow B.C. to remove interprovincial trade barriers, mandate that low-carbon fuels added to gasoline and diesel be produced in Canada, and permit B.C. to apply tolls/fees to U.S. commercial vehicles travelling to Alaska through the province.
“The tariffs imposed by Trump are a profound mistake and are hurting families on both sides of the border,” Premier Eby said. “My team will continue to work hard every day to defend British Columbians through this and come out stronger on the other side. Every option is on the table.”
Eby’s announcement came as Trump announced a pause on some Canadian and Mexican goods until April 2.
Speaking to reporters outside the B.C. Legislature in Victoria, Eby said that “trust is gone” between the White House and Canada.
“We will never again put ourselves in the position of being so dependent on the United States… It’s hard to imagine we would come to this place where our closest friend and ally turns around and stabs us in the back,” he stated.
“But it’s happened, and we can’t ignore that we need to structurally change the way we do business within the country.”
Eby was also asked about whether a pause on the trade war would result in B.C. putting U.S. red-state liquor back on store shelves after ordering their removal on Tuesday.
“My inclination is no, the products stay off the shelf until the threat is gone,” he replied.
The provincial government also highlighted additional measures being taken as Trump continues to go back and forth about tariff implementation.
This includes a trade and economic security task force to bring together business, labour and Indigenous leadership, and a new task force on agriculture and the food economy.
The Province is also speeding up permits on major projects, and the B.C. government and Crown corporations have been directed to purchase Canadian goods and services.
Eby said the new legislation would be introduced in the coming days.